Interchangeable backplane interface connection panel

Abstract

A system and method for converting the numerous quantities, types, and arrangements of plug-in card connectors, usually disposed on the backplane of equipment systems, to an orderly and standardized array of external connectors. The external connectors facilitate the electrical connection between the cards and one of a variety of specific external cable connectors.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. A system for standardizing an electrical connection interface, said system comprising: 
       a main chassis;  
       a backplane mounted to said main chassis and having a plurality of backplane connectors of varying configurations; and  
       a panel including first and second opposing sides, said first side having a first plurality of connectors of varying configurations mated with each of said plurality of backplane connectors of varying configurations, said second side having a second plurality of connectors for establishing an electrical connection to an external cable.  
     
     
       2. The system of  claim 1 , wherein said main chassis defines an interior space for receiving plug-in cards which provide a telecommunications functionality. 
     
     
       3. The system of  claim 1 , wherein said main chassis defines an interior space for receiving plug-in cards, said plug-in cards taken from the group consisting of DS1, DS3, ethernet, and video cards. 
     
     
       4. The system of  claim 1 , wherein said external cable is selected from the group consisting of optical fiber cable, electrical cable, coaxial cable, ribbon cable, and twisted wire pair cable. 
     
     
       5. The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a faceplate mountable over said second side of said panel. 
     
     
       6. The system of  claim 1 , wherein said plurality of backplane connectors of varying configurations comprise a combination of pin-type connectors taken from the group consisting of 60-pin, 85-pin, 125-pin, and staggered 125-pin connectors. 
     
     
       7. The system of  claim 1 , wherein said second plurality of connectors are taken from the group consisting of SMB, BNC, RJ-45, SMB-WW modules, screw terminal block, coaxial F, and champ connectors. 
     
     
       8. The system of  claim 1 , wherein said main chassis comprises a door for enclosing said main chassis at the front. 
     
     
       9. The system of  claim 1 , further comprising mounting fixtures coupled to each side of said main chassis to facilitate mounting of said main chassis. 
     
     
       10. The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a protective panel for covering said backplane when said backplane is not in use. 
     
     
       11. The system of  claim 1 , wherein said panel is mountable to either a left- or right-hand side of said backplane. 
     
     
       12. A system for standardizing an electrical connection interface, said system comprising: 
       a chassis;  
       a backplane having a plurality of backplane connectors of varying configurations, said backplane mounted on said chassis; and  
       means mounted to said backplane to convert said plurality of backplane connectors of varying configurations to an array of a single configuration of external connectors.  
     
     
       13. The system of  claim 12 , wherein said means for converting comprises an interchangeable panel having a front side and a back side, said front side having connector receptacles for mating with said plurality of backplane connectors of varying configurations, said back side having said array of a single configuration of external connectors. 
     
     
       14. The system of  claim 12 , wherein said plurality of backplane connectors of varying configurations comprises a combination of at least two different connectors taken form the group consisting of a 60-pin connector, an 85-pin connector, a 125-pin connector, and a staggered 125-pin connector. 
     
     
       15. The system of  claim 12 , wherein said main chassis defines an interior space for receiving plug-in cards, said plug-in cards taken from the group consisting of DS1, DS3, ethernet, and video cards. 
     
     
       16. The system of  claim 12 , wherein said external connectors are taken from the group consisting of SMB, BNC, RJ-45, SMB-WW modules, screw terminal block, coaxial F, and champ connectors. 
     
     
       17. A method for standardizing an electrical connection interface, said method comprising: 
       providing a backplane including a backplane connector array;  
       mounting a conversion panel having a first combination of different configurations of panel connectors to said backplane connector array including a second combination of different configuration of backplane connectors corresponding to each of said panel connectors, said conversion panel having a plurality of external connectors for establishing an electrical connection to at least one external cable.  
     
     
       18. A method as in  claim 17 , wherein said external connectors are taken from the group consisting of SMB, BNC, RJ-45, SMB-WW modules, screw terminal block, coaxial F, and champ connectors. 
     
     
       19. The method of  claim 17 , wherein said external cable is selected from the group consisting of optical fiber cable, electrical cable, coaxial cable, ribbon cable, and twisted wire pair cable.